We start the 62nd week of The Latino Newsletter with an opinion piece I originally wrote in Spanish. Last week, Boston’s El Planeta published my essay about why Massachusetts needs to create a state fund for local journalism — part of my ongoing interest in connecting press freedom to the survival of independent media.

I’ll be advocating for such a fund in my new role as Senior Producer and Strategist for Free Press. As a working journalist, I believe that advocating for more sustainable funding of local and independent media will always be an integral part of my job. Over the years, this work has drawn me in more deeply because Massachusetts has had a profound impact on me. It’s where I live with my family, where I founded both Latino Rebels and The Latino Newsletter. For a state that has given me so much, I want to give back.

So here is the English version of what I originally wrote in Spanish for El Planeta:

When I was a young sports reporter at The Boston Globe, I once told an editor that the paper needed bilingual and bicultural journalists like me, especially if Boston and the Red Sox were going to get more players from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Nobody paid attention.

It was 1989, and I already understood that this city — where I studied and later returned to build my life — invisibilized Latino communities.

I was 20 years old and about to start my final year of college. I already knew the best spots in the city to play dominoes or soccer. I visited Latino neighborhoods that, while close by, felt far from what defined Boston.

That invisibility was obvious. But Boston didn’t want to see it. I wanted the city to recognize my people — and me — as a vital part of its present and future.

That experience marked me. For Massachusetts to truly be a home for all, and for our Latino communities to feel they belong — and not be pushed aside or ignored — we need more than just physical presence. We need authentic voices in the media to tell our stories, share our struggles, and celebrate our victories. That’s why local journalism matters.

Today, Massachusetts is home to thousands of Latino families. Many came seeking opportunities, while others fled hardship, but all shared the dream of building a better future. For that dream to become reality, we must see, read, and hear those voices reflected in the media, in public spaces, and political discourse.

Investing in local journalism for Latino communities — in Spanish, English, and bilingual formats — is an act of justice and a smart strategy that strengthens democracy, inclusion, and social cohesion. When media authentically reflect the diversity of their communities, they build bridges between neighbors, combat prejudices, and encourage civic participation.

But this journalism doesn’t happen on its own. It requires resources, training, and institutional support. In Massachusetts, funding for local media is extremely limited. Large corporate groups, such as Gannett and Alden Global, dominate the sector, prioritizing investors over communities. The cancellation of federal funds for public media will hit small towns and marginalized areas especially hard. Those keeping independent journalism alive fight every day against a system that denies them resources and opportunities in a relentless digital economy.

This is where a local community journalism fund becomes essential — a fund that enables Latino, bilingual, and bicultural journalists to tell the stories that matter.

These realities lead us to an undeniable truth: if local journalism is truly a public good, we must support it at the state level with strong public funding. We must raise our voices and demand that legislators create a public fund for local journalism — one that enables Latino, bilingual, and bicultural journalists to tell stories with rigor, respect, and compassion.

A journalist who shares the language and culture doesn’t just inform — they connect, move, and mobilize. They can give voice to those who have none, expose injustices, and celebrate the cultural richness that defines us.

This journalism also fosters a sense of identity and belonging. For many Massachusetts Latinos, seeing themselves reflected in the news means being recognized and valued. It is a key step toward building stronger, more cohesive communities.

There is also an economic impact. Local journalism boosts the economy by promoting local businesses and events, particularly small and mid-sized Latino-owned businesses that struggle for visibility. Supporting local journalism also improves access to vital information that helps these businesses grow and thrive.

I know public investment is limited and that there are many priorities, but this is an investment in social cohesion, civic education, and economic development. Massachusetts has the opportunity to lead a change that benefits all of us, not just one sector.

That’s why we must support the creation of a state fund to elevate local journalism in Spanish, English, and bilingual formats. A fund that guarantees we can tell the stories of Latino communities — and all diverse communities — with integrity and empathy.

This is quite possible. Lawmakers in New Jersey have been funding a Civic Information Consortium for years, with an independent board distributing millions to media outlets and organizations that serve their communities. California is following with a new Civic Media Fund, and legislators in Oregon and Wisconsin have introduced bills to create similar funds.

Massachusetts can and must be the next state.

My personal story is just one among many. Today’s Boston is more diverse than ever, and our voices can no longer — and should not — be ignored. Massachusetts can and must be a home for everyone, and that begins with recognition, respect, and listening.

Investing in diverse and local journalism is not an expense. It's an act of justice, inclusion, and building a shared future.

Midwest Mexican: Congratulations to my journalism friend Serena Maria Daniels on the launch of her new project, Midwest Mexican. As Serena says, “Expect essays, reviews, behind-the-scenes updates, and the occasional thoughtfully presented sponsored feature.”

I am in. Subscribe here.

Meanwhile, in Idaho: From the Idaho Statesman, a profile of Annette Valenzuela Tipton, who heads up the state’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

“Some of the roadblocks the Latino community faces are unique,” the story notes. “For example, Latino Idahoans aren’t as civically engaged as non-Latinos, Tipton said. But other issues are common to many Idahoans, such as roadblocks with rural health care.”

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder of The Latino Newsletter. He is also its current part-time publisher and executive director. Email him here.

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